Detergents for General and Professional Use – Key Differences

I often write about detergents, but today I want to highlight the differences between detergents for general and professional use.

The differences are not just in the formula strength or application method; there are also different regulatory requirements for these two product groups. Different users dictate the type of information that needs to be provided on labels, instructions, and other documents.

Household users are considered to lack specialized knowledge and primarily rely on the product label. Professional users should have a certain level of training and understanding of chemical risks, and they obtain key information from the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and technical instructions.

But let's start from the beginning, with an overview of the regulations.

1. Definitions and Regulatory Context

According to the definition, "a detergent is a substance or mixture containing soaps or other surfactants and is used for washing and cleaning."

It is also defined that "a detergent for industrial and institutional use is a detergent intended for washing and cleaning outside the household, performed by specialized personnel using specific products."

From this, we can conclude that a detergent for general use is intended for end consumers who are not trained, use the detergent at home, and purchase it in retail.

Professional detergents are used in industries, hospitality, healthcare, or service activities, and are used by trained personnel with appropriate equipment and personal protective gear.

2. Labeling of Detergents

General rules for chemical labeling apply to detergents as well as all chemical products, but additional requirements also exist.

Detergents for general use must have a clearly declared composition, listing ingredients present in concentrations greater than 0.2%. Ingredients are listed by categories (surfactants, phosphates, fragrances, preservatives...) and in the following prescribed concentration ranges:

•         less than 5%,
•         5% to 15%,
•         15% to 30%,
•         30% and above.

Special rules apply for listing preservatives and allergenic fragrances, and you can find all the details in this blog. These grouped ingredients must also be listed in the SDS for general use detergents.

For professional detergents, these rules do not apply; it is sufficient to list hazardous ingredients according to the regulations on chemical classification and labeling.

3. Composition Data Sheet

The Composition Data Sheet is a document containing information that must be made available to medical personnel or the competent authority. Detergent regulations detail the content of the Composition Data Sheet, and I have previously written about what to pay attention to when creating this document.

This document is mandatory only for general use detergents. It is not required for professional detergents as it is assumed that an adequate level of information is provided through the SDS delivered to professional users.

4. Instructions for Use

For consumer detergents, the manufacturer must clearly state the instructions for use on the label. Detailed dosage recommendations must be provided on the labels of laundry detergents and dishwashing detergents.

Instructions for professional detergents can be included in the accompanying technical sheet or manual, while the dosage is often determined by the equipment used during the application of the detergents.

Conclusion

The fundamental difference between detergents for general and professional use lies in the regulatory approach to risk communication. For general use detergents, key information must be stated on the label, while for professional detergents, additional technical documents are more commonly used.

If you have any specific questions about detergents, feel free to write to me at nina.pajovic@bens-consulting.eu.